The World Around Us

A golden sunrise warms the frosty morning at Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota. With over 40 percent of the park covered by lakes, rivers and streams, Voyageurs is a maze of interconnected waterways. These waters were the transportation corridors for the park’s namesake, the voyageurs, and are the basis for recreation in the park today. Winter visitors can enjoy skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, ice fishing, sledding and driving on ice roads. Photo by National Park Service.

Recent Posts: Sig Nordal, Jr.

Converting farmhouses into modern dwellings is a trend that is especially prominent in the UK, where historical farms are upgraded via modern barn conversions and updated farm structures. Architects Nathanael Dorent and Lily Jencks worked together to create Ruins Studio, an incredible 18th-century farmhouse overlooking the Scottish countryside. The result is a crisp, modern piece of residential architecture that successfully integrates […]

Photo: Stonel via Shutterstock New homes in California are about to become a lot more energy efficient. By a vote of 5-0 from the California Energy Commission (CEC), all homes built from 2020 onward will be required to incorporate solar energy measures. The unanimous vote continues to position California as a leader of legislation […]

We have idealisms and aspirations. However, we all need a roof over our heads, food on the dinner table, and education for our children (and ourselves). To fulfill all those necessities, we often need to compromise and choose to work for money instead. Thus, idealisms and aspirations often die over time. Simply because we no […]

France has been ahead of the eco-friendly curve for years. From a solar-powered road to upcycled installations, the country has continuously found creative ways to make environmentalism its mission. Following in the footsteps of a 2015 food waste law, the French government has turned its attention to textiles, making it illegal for retailers to throw away […]